it's a mugs game

Multi-User Games are computer controlled, modem-linked, totally interactive adventure games - just the thing for roleplaying addicts with a home computer and plenty of cash.

Link up with a MUG and you enter a fantasy world inhabited by computer controlled characters and more importantly other 'live' players.

Like your average over-the-table roleplaying game you'll come up against intelligent human opponents - as well as hostile, and friendly, computer beings.

You can have on-screen conversations with other players, make alliances and even recruit armies. There are many different types of games to play, which we'll detail elsewhere on these pages, but first - a history lesson.

roy and richard go 'mugging'

So Trubshaw made a few changes to the structure of the program - and introduced a facility for several people to play at once - meeting and interacting within the game. This was the acorn from which the MUG scene grew.

Enter Richard Bartle. He helped Trubshaw formulate plans for the original Multi-User Dungeon (MUD) running on the university's mainframe, When Trubshaw left Essex, Bartle took over running the game while studying for his Phd. The University allowed him to let non-university computer-buffs phone their computer to play and help develop the game.

The original MUD is fondly remembered by old-timers, but it was too hot a property to remain locked away in Essex University's computer. When Bartle left university he took the game with him, wrote a book about it and then, with the help of his publisher, Simon Dally, formed a company called MUSE to sell the game commercially.

British Telecom put up the money for the first commercially available version of the game, which in 1984, went live on the Compunet and Compuserve networks.

MUD II was designed for the Prestel net but, due to political wrangles at Telecom, it never reached that network. Instead it was launched on an independent system of its own. The cost of playing and lack of advertising won it little support from gamers. In 1989 it became available on the better known Telecom-Gold network, and here it found a new lease of life.

Bartle is critical of the early Compunet experiment with the game. It was free to play and pretty chaotic. Because it was free, controllers didn't have to worry too much about people being killed 'unfairly'.

Players who had invested time and money in their characters were fed-up when they lost them at the hands of a deranged 'Wizard' - the most powerful players in the game. In fact one player actually successfully sued the company after losing his character in an unfair fashion. When MUD II went commericial this sort of mayhem was abolished - although many free MUGs are still pretty anarchic.

wizard fun

The key aspects of MUD can be summed up simply. If you're familiar with table-top roleplaying or play-by-mail you'll already have some idea. You begin with a character which has few powers and no game 'points'. Each time you play, certain actions will earn you 'points'. Your score is saved at the end of each session so you can start again where you left off.

The main aim of MUD is to collect enough points to become a Wizard, at which time you are granted vast powers to create new objects, move other players around at will - and even kill them if you think they are misbehaving. Points are scored either by 'swamping' treasure that you've found - taking it to the 'swamp' and dropping it in - or killing things, These can be fellow players or 'mobiles' - the computer generated and controlled characters inhabiting the game.

Experienced MUGgers are probably sniggering behind their hand at all the fuss currently being made about 'interactive television', CDI and the rest of the 'gee-whizz' interactive technology said to be on the way. They've been using pretty basic exisiting technology and enjoying truly interactive entertainment for years. MUGs are an under-used and underrated way of enjoying your computer - but beware, they can become addictive. And like most addictions very, very expensive!

current multi-user games - how to get in on the action

mud - the multi-user dungeon

There is a GUEST account which can be used as follows. Once you have called the appropriate number you are taken on to the Telecom Gold network. Nothing will be transmitted until you hit your RETURN key a couple of times. When a prompt appears type: CALL 41 <return>

This connects you to MUD. Then type: MUDGUEST <return> at the 'Username' prompt, and then: PROSPECT <return> at the 'Password' prompt, This takes you into the MUD guest account which allows 15 minutes of play - just enough time to appreciate the general atmosphere of The Land, the game universe in which the action takes place. Bear in mind that as a guest you cannot expect to have access to some of the areas and commands. What you can do however is 'spool'the HELP text which you get by typing 'HELP' - which you can subsequently read off-line.

If you want to purchase a MUD-pack (two handbooks, a colour map of The Land, and an account - all for £4.95) write to: Dr Richard Bartle, Multi-User Entertainment Ltd, 34 Grantham Road, Great Horkesley, Colchester, Essex C06 4TU. Tel (voice) (0206) 272-633 during office hours.

Additional credits for use with an account can be purchased in the following quantities and at the following costs. Remember that credits are only deducted if you play the adventure - looking around the system is free.

Credits:

Quantity	Cost
50	£10
100	£20
200	£35
300	£50
750	£100
1500	£150

tritan

shades and trash

Costs:
On Micronet: 8p/min, peak rate (8am-6pm); 2p/min, cheap rate (6pm-8am)
On Prestel: 12p/min peak rate; 6p/min cheap rate On Telecom Gold: 4.5p/min between 7pm-8am; no additional cost from 8am-7pm
All prices exclusive of VAT
There are two ways to play these MUGS.
Call the 'Callstream' number (0898) 100-890 (33p/min cheap rate; 44p/min peak rate) - Viewdata or Scrolling
or
Call the test port on (0342) 810-905 or (0342) 810-229. Scrolling 8N1 only - 1200/75 baud.

I/O world of adventure - mirrorworld, quest 1, parody, empyrion, chaos war of wizards

the butler - gods, zone, future life

abermug

'Connect' costs from £35 plus VAT for members of the IBM PC User Group; £50 plus VAT for non-members (who also pay a joining fee of £10 plus VAT). Full details are available on-line or write to IBM PC User Group, PO Box 360, Harrow HA1 4LO, tel (voice) (081) 863-1191.

the void

synergy - avalon, spy

MUGs data compiled by Roger Miah. If there are any new MUG operators not included in this list please contact Roger at CCEG, Newsfield Publications, Case Mill, Temeside, Ludlow, Shropshire SY8 1JW and we'll attempt to include details in the next issue.
Roger would also like to hear from anyone who has written a MUG but hasn't found anywhere to put it! He may have some good news for you...
Please note that while some of the MUGs are free to play, you still have to pay the cost of the phone call. So if it's not your phone don't forget to ask before going on-line.

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"Multi-user adventures should be a way to be whatever you want to be - it doesn't matter what you are in real life. You can be completely anonymous, with a degree of freedom not available in the real world" Richard Bartle